Minister Rob Davies to unveil the National Upliftment Strategy for informal traders
The South African informal business sector will receive a boost when the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies unveils a multimillion rand strategy to uplift the conditions and operations of informal businesses in the country. The unveiling of the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS) which will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with the Port St Johns Local Municipality will take place in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape on Friday, 14 March 2014.
The NIBUS seeks to uplift informal businesses within the informal economy and render support to local chambers, local business associations, municipalities and Local Economic Development offices to deliver and to facilitate access to upliftment programmes.
Minister Rob Davies says the focus of the NIBUS will be targeted at designated groups like women, youth and people with disabilities who are mainly based in the townships and rural areas of South Africa.
'This strategy advances government priorities of speeding up economic growth and transforming the economy to create decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods through inclusive growth,' he adds.
Minister Davies will at the same event, also launch the Informal Traders Upliftment Project (ITUP) which is an instrument within the NIBUS.
The ITUP, which aims to develop the capacity of informal traders or retailers is a partnership between the dti and the Wholesale and Retail (W&R) SETA. It was developed in order to increase the competitiveness of local traders and develop decent jobs within the sector.
The event will be attended by among others the Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders iNkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, the Premier of Eastern Cape, Ms Noxolo Kiviet, Members of Executive Committee (MECs) for Economic Development, Environment Affairs and Tourism, Mr Mcebisi Jonas and Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mlibo Qhoboshiane. The Mayor of O R Tambo District Municipality, Councillor Nomakhosazana Meth and the Mayor of Port St Johns Local Municipality, Councillor Danisile Mangqo will also grace the occasion.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
